Your Travel Choice Makes A Difference

[tiesadmin]

"Is it a good idea to fly or travel far to attend a conference on ecotourism?"

Ever asked yourself the same question?

Share your comments on the value of participating in events and conferences on ecotourism and sustainable tourism. What are the challenges? How should international events be promoted? Tips on the use of web-based technologies to allow people to participate in events without flying to a faraway venue? Suggestions on green events?

*Please see here for information on TIES' efforts to green our events: http://www.ecotourism.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/eco_template.aspx?a=410#footprint

[planeta]

Great question. I was quoted in an article this year published by USA Today: Eco-friendly events can leave large, unfriendly footprints
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2008-04-21-green-events_N.htm

My point: The dialogue is cheapened when environmental events themselves do not showcase some environmental criteria for how they are implemented. Organizers are harming the development of a constituency which can support and carry forth (green) ideals.

I'd like to see more web conferencing, you-tubing, flickering and wiki-ing that ties everything together. And I do what I can do model this very behavior. Over the past ten years Planeta.com has collected a number of best practices around the globe which we present in a guide to green events
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/tour/greenfair.html

Personally, I don't mind traveling far for an event, but such events need to be well documented AND INTERACTIVE before, during and after. Also, speakers need to be paid. If tourism is truly such a large and profitable industry, then any tourism conference that's not a grassroots event needs to pay speakers with varying viewpoints.

Related

How green is your eco conference?
http://planeta.wikispaces.com/ecoconference

Conferencing in the Virtual and Natural Worlds
http://www.planeta.com/web/conferences.html

[ProformaGreen]

I think another irony of Eco conventions is that once you arrive thought is not always given to what the impact of the convention itself is on the local environment.

Even when done in a resort setting that is suitable for large numbers of guest is thought given to greening the event in anyway?

[harry]

The programme in Belize is expected to be preceded by a separate but related workshop in Cancun/Tulum organised with Mexican government on “Making Mass Tourism More Responsible” on May 17th. On May 18th there will be coach transfers to the opening ceremonies for the Third International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations in Belize in the afternoon.
_________________
Corporate Gifts